Over the next several days; Splinter kept a close vigil over his son. Raphael continued to linger between life and death. He never left his side for more than a few moments. It warmed his heart seeing his other sons staying close to their brother. Every day that passed his worry grew. Raphael showed no signs of waking up nor his fever breaking. Splinter began to fear the worst. He is losing his son. While in front of his sons, he would not shed any tears. The only thing holding the family together is his strength. He waited till his other sons were sleeping before shedding his tears.

Splinter glanced solemnly at his son as he sat in his usual spot. It's now been two excruciating weeks. Leo, Donnie and Mikey soon joined him. They couldn't bring themselves to play when their brother couldn't.

"Is Raph gonna wake soon daddy?" Leo asked, his eyes full of tears. As the oldest, he is responsible for his brothers. The lair wasn't the same with Raphael. He even missed arguing with him. Splinter faced his son; he wished more than anything that he could say yes. But with each passing day, his hope grew dimmer. Would he burying his son at the tender age of five?

"I hope so Leonardo." He pulled his three sons closer as they continued their vigil.

Raphael curled in the woman's lap. She gently stroked his shell. She had been keeping a close watch over the young turtle for the time he was here. His condition had been grave and she feared this was one life she couldn't save. None the less; she refused to let him go. Now it was finally time for him to return to his family. She gently nudged the sleeping turtle tot awake.

"Raphael my son, it is time to wake. Raphael moaned but refused to open his eyes. She sighed. He certainly is a stubborn one. She nudged him again. "Raphael, you must wake." He flailed his tiny hand, pushing hers away. Then an idea struck her. She began tickling the young turtle. Raphael squirmed, trying to get away. She giggled at his efforts. After several more moments, he finally opened his green eyes. "There you go sweetie." Raph opened his brilliant green eyes.

She smiled. His eyes full of innocence. Although, she can already tell he will be a handful for his father. "It is time for to go home. Your body has healed well enough. Though he will have a scar on your plastron." Raphael placed his hand where he felt the chip.

"Cool." He smiled big. Raph liked the idea of having a scar. She chuckled. "So, can I go home now? I miss my brothers and daddy.'

"Yes sweetheart." Just as he was getting excited about returning home, he remembered why he was where he is at. His face fell. A concerned look spread across the woman's face.

"What is wrong my little one?"

"Is daddy mad at me? I did disobey his orders. Maybe I shouldn't go home." Tears fell from his face. He was scared. The woman gathered the turtle in her arms.

"Oh sweetie, your father is not mad at all. In fact, he is proud of you. You have been very brave throughout all this. You kept your brother safe and braved the sewers to find him. You knew the risks yet you put his safety before yours." She wiped his tears away. "Your father misses you very much and so do your brothers. They need you Raphael. Never think for one minute you are not loved because you will always be." Raph sniffled back a sob.

"Are ya sure? Cause I didn't listen but I didn't want Mikey getting hurt. Don't want any of mah brothers getting hurt. I wanna keep'em safe."

"And you always will little one. Now it is time for to you return. Your family is waiting."

"What about ya?"

"I must stay here little one; however, if you ever need me, I will be here waiting. You are special among your brothers. You will always be my little one Raphael." She tightly embraced the turtle tot before letting him go.

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome little one." She waved her hand forward. Raphael gave one last glance in the woman's direction before fading away.

Raphael slowly opened his eyes. Glancing around, he saw his brothers and father huddled around him. His body still felt sore but near as painful. Raphael tried sitting up but found himself tightly wrapped in several blankets. His arm still bound in a cast. He grimaced as a quick burst of pain shot through his body. Raph gritted his teeth, slowly taking a deep breath. The pain soon subsided. He made a mental note not too move too quickly again. Letting his eyes travel to his brothers, he heard their soft snores. Did they really stay by his side this whole time? Tears still stained their faces. Maybe she was right; his family really does care for him. He didn't want to wake them despite wanting to see them again. Raphael relaxed against the cushions. Fatigue began to set in and this time he gladly went to sleep, knowing his family is near.

Leonardo opened his eyes. He thought he heard his younger brother shuffling on the couch. Looking up, he saw that Raphael was still asleep. His heart sank. He wanted nothing more than to see his younger brother awake again. Gripping Raphael's hand tightly; he wished to see those green eyes again. Leo let a few tears slid his face. Trying to keep quiet, a few sobs racked his body. Making a promise to himself that he will never fight with Raphael again just to see him awake.

"Please lil bro, please wake up. I'll never call you a crybaby again." Leo's voice barely above a whisper as he choked back another sob.

Raphael felt the tight squeeze on his hand. Leo's soft sobs pricked his ears. "Is Leo crying for me? Why, I don't deserve it since I pick fights with him all the time. But maybe he does care." He noticed the fresh tear stains. "Leo, m'sorry." Raphael whispered, not wanting to wake the others. Guilt flooded his mind at the thought of his brothers crying over him. He'd rather take the pain than see them hurt; even give his life. His mind then wondered to his youngest brother. His last memory was pushing Mikey into the tunnel. Hopefully, the water didn't catch him.

Slowly reaching out, he moved his good hand towards Leo's. Sharp pain filled his body but he ignored it. Right now, he wanted to let Leo know he was awake. He let his hand brush against Leo's. Raphael ignored the pain that racked his small frame. As he watched his older brother sleep, his eyes took in the dark circles under Leo's eyes. His mind recoiled at the thought that he caused his family so much pain. Part of him wished he had died then maybe his family wouldn't be suffering. Raphael didn't realize just how much he meant to his family.

Leonardo felt the slight grasp on his hand. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not. He slowly opened his eyes. Glancing up, he saw Raph's hand covering his. A big smile played across his face. This could mean only one thing. That his younger brother finally woken up. More tears spilled down his face; overjoyed his brother is awake. As happy as he was; fear took hold in the back of his mind. What if his brother didn't recognize them or even remember his family.

"Raph." He quietly said, waiting anxiously for an answer. He didn't want to wake the rest of his family just in case he was imagining things. He kept his eyes glued to Raphael for a response

Raphael slowly opened his eyes, turning his head towards the voice. Leo's eyes went wide in surprise. His brother's green eyes met his. Leo jumped up, tightly squeezing his brother. Raph flinched as pain quickly filled his body. Although, he knows Leo isn't hurting him on purpose; he can't stop the few tears from falling.

"Raph, you're awake!" Leo held tight onto his brother; afraid he might lose him again. He buried his head into Raph's shoulder. Raph raised his good hand, wrapping it around Leo's shell.

"Ain't goin' no'where's Leo." Raph winced; his voice still weak. Leo immediately released his brother when he heard Raphael's pained voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hurt you did I?" Leo's blue eyes full concern. He was scared he hurt him further. Raph took a deep breath.

"No, m'fine." His speech slurred a bit. Leo cringed. He didn't like seeing his brother weak. Leo wiped the tears from Raph's eyes.

"I'm proud of you brother. I didn't know how strong and tough you are. I promise to never call you a crybaby again." Tears spilled from Leo's eyes. "I was scared Raph; scared I was never going to see you again. Please never do that again." Raph felt like someone stabbed him with a hot knife in his stomach. Some brother he is, letting his family suffer because of him. From now one, he will be the one to protect his family. He will no longer allow them to suffer.

"Don't worry Leo, ain't gonna." Leo smiled. He made a promise to himself that he will never let harm come to his family.

"Let me wake daddy." Leo moved his tired muscles, aching from sitting in the same spot for so long. He scooted closer to his father. "Daddy. Raph's awake!" Leo grabbed Splinter's robe. Splinter shot his head up. He glanced around, confused at first until his eyes landed upon his oldest son. Leo happily met his father's gaze.

"What is the matter my son?"

"Raph's awake!" A big grin spread across Splinter's face; his heart full of joy. Leo moved so his father could get to his brother.

"My son!" Splinter quickly embraced his son. He held tight onto his son; fearful of losing his him again. He cried tears he didn't think he had anymore. Donatello and Michelangelo quickly awakened after hearing the commotion. Big smiles spread across theirs faces; overjoyed that their brother is finally awake. Michelangelo was especially happy since it was that Raph rescued. They hugged their brother; relieved that Raphael had found his way back to them. Splinter sent a silent thank you to whoever returned his son.

"Raph!" Mikey yelled. Raphael smiled, happy to see his brothers again. He then turned his attention to his father.

"Daddy, yer not mad at me?" Splinter was taken aback by his son's sudden words. He softened his gaze.

"Of course not my son. Quite the opposite; I am very proud of you. You were very brave despite the circumstances. Just promise me that you will never scare me like this again. I thought I was going to lose you."

"I promise daddy." Little did each other know; ten years later, that very promise would be threatened. Raphael would be in yet another battle for his life. A battle he may not win.